Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chennai or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Boracay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chennai or Boracay?
Chennai
Formerly known as Madras from its colonial history, Chennai today is one of India's largest cities and capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India with an extensive stretch of sandy beaches, plenty of dining and shopping, a number of historic temples, monuments, and churches, plus amusement parks and more.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chennai and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Boracay? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chennai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.61Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
- Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Chennai change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayChennai $6.40Boracay $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $37
- Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
- Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
- South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Menna: $54
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
- Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
- Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.77Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- Spiritual Trails of Chennai (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Explore Chennai in Nightlights (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Chennai Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $16
- Chennai Night Walk Tour ( 2 hours guided walking tour): $16
- Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
- Magical Chennai Markets Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
- 2 Hour Street Food Walking Tour: $21
- Food Walk Tour Chennai: $25
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Night Walking Tour of Chennai: $26
- Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $26
- Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
- Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $63
- Best Boracay Sunset Party Boat Experience: $45
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $105
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $86
- Boracay Helicopter Tour with Red Whale Party Yacht: $204
- Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $36
- Boracay Island Hopping +Banana Boat (Shared Tour): $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.08Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Boracay, we can see that Boracay is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chennai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chennai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boracay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boracay than you might in Chennai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chennai Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Boracay?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 1880 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Boracay, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.